Milky Lane closes, local favourite takes over Lonsdale Street location

Milky Lane has shut its doors in Braddon. It was known for over the top burgers. Pictures by Gary Ramage and supplied

A burger chain has shut up shop in Canberra, leaving prime foodie real estate that's already been snapped up by a local restaurant.

Milky Lane has closed up shop on Braddon's Lonsdale Street, less than four years after it opened at the foodie hotspot.

The burger chain - which opened its first location in Bondi in 2016, and expanded to the capital in 2019 - was known for its extravagant burgers, desserts and cocktails perfect for the Instagram feed.

But while Milky Lane's Facebook page is still regularly posting content, the Canberra location has been removed from its website and the graffiti-inspired sign has been taken down from its Lonsdale Street location.

Burger chain, Milky Lane has shut its doors in Braddon. Picture by Gary Ramage

In the window, however, is a chalkboard revealing what is to come in the coming weeks.

Beef and Barley, the popular Kingston foreshore eatery, is expanding its footprint to Braddon, taking over the vacant Lonsdale Street location left by Milky Lane. It's set to open its doors in the next month.

Beef and Barley owner Johnny Fung said since taking over the Kingston restaurant a few years ago, the plan had always been to expand to other locations around Canberra.

A sign reading Beef and Barley has been placed in the Lonsdale Street window. Picture by Gary Ramage

"It's a prime location and we believe our food will be suitable for Braddon," he said.

"In Kingston, we're more focused on groups for birthday parties and whatnot, but in Braddon, we want to be more focussed on the daily customer. So our menu will be slightly different - we'll have more cocktail options and drinks options, compared to Kingston."

While the opening date isn't confirmed yet, Mr Fung said it will be marked with free burgers for some of the first customers.

Beef and Barley's Kingston location has become known for its burgers, in particular its Burger High Tea that is on offer every day.

Beef and Barley will also remain open in its original Kingston location, when the new Braddon restaurant opens. Picture by Elesa Kurtz

It is unclear why Milky Lane has closed its doors or whether this marks the end of the chain's presence in Canberra.

The chain was one of the many burger options that have opened a store in Canberra's inner north in recent years, with the capital dining precincts a hot spot for the culinary delight. While it has prompted debate about the oversaturation of burger places in the inner north, locally-owned restaurants have had support from Canberrans.

Milky Lane was contacted for comment. The burger chain's other locations around Australia are still open.